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Lakeshore Band to play the national anthem for the Pure Michigan 400

The Lakeshore High School band will perform the national anthem before the Pure Michigan 400 on Sunday, Aug. 18. The marching band will represent the state of Michigan at the 70th anniversary celebration of D-Day in Normandy, France in 2014.

“We are proud to have the Lakeshore Band perform our national anthem,” track president Roger Curtis said. “The band has proven to be one of the top bands in the state of Michigan. It will be a truly unique opportunity for our fans to hear the national anthem played.”

The Lakeshore High School band, which has won three Michigan Competing Band Association Flight III State Championships, will play a special tribute to the 419 soldiers of Michigan resting at the Normandy American Cemetery in Normandy, France.

The Stevensville, Mich. based band will collect sand from around the state and place the grains on the graves of the Michigan soldiers as a symbol of remembrance for their sacrifice. The sand will be collected from high schools in Michigan as an educational program and in return, sand from Omaha Beach will be carried back and presented to each school.

Marching students will also wear a ribbon in honor of the last living WWII veterans in the Wolverine State. After the ceremonies, each ribbon will be mailed to a veteran as a symbol of gratitude for service and sacrifice.

“We want to thank MIS for inviting us and giving us the opportunity to share our pride of representing Michigan at the 70th anniversary of D-Day next year,” band director Lori Von Koenig said. “We are grateful for their support as we prepare for D-Day 2014.”

MIS and Pure Michigan are proud to welcome the Lakeshore Band to the Pure Michigan 400. As a group that is working hard to honor Michigan veterans during the historic 70th anniversary of D-Day, the Lakeshore Band is the perfect choice to perform the national anthem at MIS.

For more information about Lakeshore Band, their historical mission and how you can help, visit www.ddaymichigan.com.